The UN gave the panel, which consists of 91 scientists from 40 countries including Canada, the task of comparing the impact on the planet of an increase in temperature of 1.5°C as opposed to 2°C. The Paris Agreement of 2015 set an agreed-to target of “below 2°C” for global temperature increase this century, and an aspirational target of no more than 1.5°C. The report concludes that it would be well worth it to pursue the lower target. Indeed, it says, the planet and hundreds of millions of people will suffer grave harm if we do not.

The report details the vast scope of destruction that will be wrought by global warming. It will have a deadly impact on everything from our economic prosperity to the availability of food and water. In the words of the report:

“Climate-related risks to health, livelihoods, food security, water supply, human security, and economic growth are projected to increase with global warming of 1.5°C, and increase further with 2°C.”

The UN scientists then go on to tell us who will suffer the most severe effects as a result of a planet that grows warmer because of human activity:

“Populations at disproportionately higher risk of adverse consequences of global warming of 1.5°C and beyond include disadvantaged and vulnerable populations, some indigenous peoples, and local communities dependent on agricultural or coastal livelihoods. Regions at disproportionately higher risk include Arctic ecosystems, dryland regions, small-island developing states, and least developed countries. Poverty and disadvantages are expected to increase in some populations as global warming increases.”

There is no drama in that plain, scientific language. But there will be horror and drama for most of humanity and thousands of threatened animal and plant species if stronger and effective collective action is not taken to radically reduce the rate of global warming."

OTTAWA – Green Party of Canada Leader Elizabeth May (MP, Saanich-Gulf Islands) is asking House of Commons Speaker Geoff Regan to convene an emergency parliamentary debate on the alarming findings in the recent Special Report from the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

“We need to carefully weigh what the experts on the IPCC are telling us,” said Ms. May. “We have as little as 10 years before the window to hold global warming to 1.5 degrees closes forever. This means that to avoid catastrophic outcomes, every nation must reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 45 per cent of 2010 levels by 2030.”

In her letter to Speaker Regan, Ms. May says that to achieve such an ambitious target, massive societal and economic decisions must be made in the very near term. “This is why Parliament must convene now to debate this urgent question and review this scientific report in a non-partisan spirit. We must genuinely seek to educate each other.”

She said that even though Canada was the first industrialized country at COP21 to advance 1.5 degrees as the appropriate goal, we are not on track to fulfill our commitment. “We owe it to Canadians and the international community, not to mention our children, to ensure that we are doing everything in our power to meet the challenges of this global emergency. Time is not on our side.”

If the Speaker approves Ms. May’s request, the House will go to emergency debate until midnight either today or tomorrow. Ms. May’s letter to Speaker Regan can be found here.

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For further information or to arrange an interview:Debra Eindiguer613-240-8921